Blackwidow Keyfeel with Respect to other 'boards?

[daniel0731ex]

Did you find the keyfeel of the Razer Blackwidow to be a lot different from, let's say, a Filco board with the same switches?


I recently got a Razer Blackwidow from a member of this forum and, as much as I love this board, it feels a lot different than I expected.

I am aware that key feels vary greatly from board to board, but because I have never tried another board with blue switches, I can't tell whether this deviation from my expectation is due to the board acoustics or that this is exactly what the switch feels like.

Under my impression, the feel of the MX Blue on the Blackwidow seems a bit more...direct.

When I imagine having blue switches on my Ducky 1008 (which is a great board, bt the way, with exceptional quality for this particular one), I thought the bumps would be slightly more subtle with the keycap "dampening" the feedback, like running in sneakers as opposed to barefoot. But on the Blackwidow, it feels more like running on thin-soled running shoes; the feedback is much more noticable than I have imagined.


My preference would be the other way around; the brown switches having more direct feedback while the blues are dampened by the keycaps.


I tried swapping the keycaps of the two, and while I did notice changes that matches my prediction, I couldn't tell if this is real or just my imagination.


Please tell me if this is all just in my head.



PS: Is the keycap quality on the Ultimate version any different from the standard one? And also, where can I find replacement caps for this keyboard? I did not see any keycap sets that have 1.5x modifiers other than the Phantom keyboard kit, which I do not see any option of ordering a set of keycaps individually.


Thanks

[shogrran]

Well, I haven't used a different mx blue board myself. I only have experience with the cmstorm qf rapid with browns and my old blackwidow.

I read someone post here in the forums that the mxblues in the blackwidow is slightly different... if I remember what he says correctly... he said it gives more click.

My guess is the overall build quality of the blackwidow adds to this effect. Hmm... I'd describe it as this... the click sounds get amplified with the hollowness feel of the board -- its like hitting an empty tin can compared to hitting the same empty tin can with rubber coating sprayed in the inside.

I loved my blackwidow but now that I got a feel of the cmstorm quickfire there is just something different with the solidity 'feel' of a better quality board. You get what you pay for in these cases. Maybe when I get the chance to try better quality boards I'll confirm this.


But maybe I am just imagining things.

Oh btw... I also read somewhere that the keycaps on the blackwidow is different? Like the heights are not sized the same -- so as to get the raised look. Don't take my word for it. Getting key caps for it may be difficult.

[Human]

A year ago(I got my Razer BWU), my BWU sucks with lots QC problems(inferior built quality) and very pronounced inconsistency in sound and feel among the switches.

I dump it at the corner collecting dust for over half a year till recently I got my Keycool87(visit review section for details). I swapped the original alphabets and numbers keys off with that of Keycool and first time I feel my BWU "useable". The new keycaps felt much better(to touch) and the inconsistency can no longer/hardly be felt.

Summary: BWU sucks(for mine and a lots more over the net) and having lots problems. Changing some of their parts(such as keycaps) may make it more useable..

[Squelos]

Yeah, the blackwidow seems kinda hollow.

I am going to O-ring it, but im afraid it wont change much for me, because i rarely bottom out.

I wonder how the blues on the BW could be any different from other blues ...
Its probably only the chassis that is different.

Im also going to be changing my caps on the board, so I'll keep you posted

[notnay]

I've been having similar issues with the keycaps. Ordered a new set last night, hopefully that fixes a few things.

[RickyJ]

The BW's that a couple of my friends have feel like cheap toys next to my CM Storm with blues.  Heck, this CM board felt more solid than my Leopold when I was simply unboxing it, and it's been amazing since then.  The little things add up I guess.